Americans of all ages
continue to experience improvements in their oral health. However, tooth
decay in primary (baby) teeth increased among children aged 2 to 5 years,
according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).

Based on data from CDC’s
National Center for Health Statistics, the report, “Trends in Oral Health
Status—United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2004,” represents the most
comprehensive assessment of oral health data available for the U.S.
population to date.

Tooth decay in primary
(baby) teeth of children aged 2 to 5 years increased from 24 percent to 28
percent between 1988-1994 and 1999-2004.

The report noted
significant improvements in several areas. The prevalence of tooth decay in
permanent teeth decreased for children, teens, and adults. And more than
one-third (38 percent) of children and teens aged 12 to 19 years had dental
sealants, a plastic coating applied to teeth that protects against decay.

The report noted several
racial/ethnic disparities. Thirty-one percent of Mexican American children
aged 6 to 11 years had experienced decay in their permanent teeth, compared
with 19 percent of non-Hispanic white children.

“This report shows that while we are continuing to make strides in
prevention of tooth decay, this disease clearly remains a problem for some
racial and ethnic groups, many of whom have more treated and untreated tooth
decay compared with other groups,” said Dr. Bruce A. Dye, a dentist and the
report’s lead author.

There were also
disparities along economic lines. Three times as many children aged 6-11 (12
percent) from families with incomes below the federal poverty line had
untreated tooth decay, compared with children from families with incomes
above the poverty line (4 percent).

“Although preventive
measures, such as dental sealants, have been widely available for years, we
need to focus our efforts on reaching children living in poverty who stand
to benefit the most from them,” says Dr. William R. Maas, a dentist and
director, of CDC’s Division of Oral Health. “This report challenges us to
increase our efforts to reach those most in need with effective preventive
measures, and to provide guidance and health education to others, for
instance, smokers whose oral health can greatly benefit from quitting.”

Other findings of the
report include:

The prevalence of
tooth decay in the permanent teeth of youths aged 6 to 11 years
decreased from approximately 25 percent to 21 percent, and among
adolescents aged 12 to 19 years decreased from 68 percent to 59 percent.

The use of dental
sealants increased from 22 percent to 30 percent among youths aged 6 to
11 years and from 18 percent to 38 percent among adolescents aged 12 to
19 years.

Moderate and severe
periodontitis (gum disease) decreased from 10 percent to 5 percent among
adults aged 20 to 64 years and from 27 percent to 17 percent for seniors
aged 65 years and older.

Among seniors aged
65 years and older, the percentage with complete tooth loss (edentulism)
decreased from 34 percent to 27 percent.

Among adults aged 20
to 64 years, 60 percent reported having a dental visit in the past year
during 1999–2004, compared with 66 percent reporting a visit in the past
year during the previous survey (1988–1994).